History Characters / HunterXHunterMainCharacters

* FlippingTheBird: [[spoiler:To Ging]] for not having visited Gon in the hospital.

* BadassFamily: Uvo recognized their strength.

* CheerfulChild: Younger Kurapika.

* ChildProdigy: When he was younger.

* CodeName:
** The Chain Guy.
** The Rat, after he became Pariston's replacement as a Zodiac.

* DueToTheDead: Gives [[spoiler: Uvogin]] a proper burial after killing him. ''[[SmugSuper With a shovel he apparently brought in advance.]]''

* EverythingSensor: His ring finger chain.

* HeroWithBadPublicity: All his clan. They are good people but are hated by a lot of persons because of their DisproportionateRetribution.

* JackBauerInterrogationTechnique: To Uvo!
* LastOfHisKind: His entire family was murdered.

* SoleSurvivor: Of the Kurta.

* ActionPolitician: [[spoiler: While he ultimately drops out of the electoral race, he later becomes a Zodiac and thus one of the highest ranking authority figures in the Hunter's Association.]]

* AgentPeacock: Just take a long look at that picture again.

* ArchEnemy: To Gon. He's this to the Phantom Troupe as well, [[spoiler: especially after Chapter 357]].

* BackFromTheDead: [[spoiler: Killed by Chrollo, but sets his aura to revive him through an application of his Bungee Gum technique beforehand]].
* BadGuysDoTheDirtyWork: Hisoka becomes the first person since [[spoiler: Kurapika to kill off two members of the spiders (Shalnark and Kortopi) and plans to kill the rest as well.]]

* KnightOfCerebus: His introduction is one of the first signs of the series' darker side.

* OverarchingVillain: While most of the antagonists are one-and-done in their respective arcs, Hisoka appears in multiple arcs throughout the course of the series, even when he's not filling the ArcVillain role.

* DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu: Delivered a smashing uppercut to [[spoiler: Ging]]'s jaw, much to the Hunter's Association collective delight. [[spoiler: It's later revealed that Ging took the punch on purpose, but it was nevertheless one of Leorio's most glorious moments.]]

* StaticCharacter: Since the beginning of the manga Hisoka didn't change at all. [[Administrivia/TropesAreTools He is still a great character though]].

* ImplacableMan: [[spoiler: Even death barely slows him down.]]

* MirrorCharacter: Both Hisoka and Gon categorize others according to [[BlueAndOrangeMorality a unique set of principles that others don't understand]]. Gon likes people that he (and sometimes ''only'' he) considers to be kind. Hisoka likes people that he considers to be interesting, or have to potential to be interesting. Notably, Killua, Kurapika, and Leorio meet both standards, and are well-regarded by both.

* YellowEyesOfSneakiness: In the 2011 anime, his yes are creepy and inhuman.

* CatchAndReturn: Can do this with Bungee Gum.

* CombatStilettos: And they don't slow him down for a second.

* DeathDealer: Uses them in the Hunters Exam, and for flair in his later fights.
* DeliberateInjuryGambit: Against Kastro.

* FourIsDeath: His number in the Phantom Troupe; was also applicant #44 during the Hunter Exam.

* TheGift: While not commented on or stated by others specifically, even among nen users, Hisoka has almost unnatural talent. This is not only stated in the guide books but shown time and time again where his instincts and raw natural talent allow him to do things that shock even some of the most experienced nen users. While the Hisoka origin manga isn't canon, Yoshihiro Togashi did acknowledge it and his reaction was essentially that even though the story isn't official, the author pretty much nailed how good and dangerous Hisoka is, with Hisoka learning nen on his own in only a week and within a month creating his hatsu and killing an experienced nen user.

* NoChallengeEqualsNoSatisfaction: He's a BloodKnight who obsesses on fighting strong people, referring to anyone who he thinks can give him a challenge as his toys. His WildCard status has him helping said people to help them reach their potential (Gon and Kurapika) or antagonize them until they fight (Chrollo). If faced with someone he sees as weak, being ignored is usually the best-case scenario as he quickly kills anyone he meets without remorse.
* NonchalantDodge: Does this a lot. Can get infuriating for the other person.

** It's shown that he likes Machi from the [[Characters/HunterXHunterPhantomTroupe Phantom Troupe]] in both appearance and powers; this is especially notable because she's the only woman he's ever shown interest to in the whole story. It's too bad that she finds him extremely annoying and only has eyes for Chrollo.
** However, bit of FridgeBrilliance, he could be seen as going for a twofer: severely injure or kill Chrollo, get one revenge-minded Machi out for your blood free. Hey, it's just grown-up pony-tail pulling.

* PlayingCardMotifs: And ''how''. Not content with being strongly associated with the Joker card while looking like he walked off that card himself, wearing the symbols on his clothes or using a pack of cards as very deadly weapons, but he also manages to ''enunciate'' the suit symbols in his bubbles, too. And, we're not just talking "♥~~~", here. Any surprise he likes to play?

* PutOnABus: During the Zoldyck Family arc and Chimera Ants arc.

* RubberMan: His Bungee Gum has these properties. [[spoiler:As of Chapter 357 he's partially made of it, using it to replace the body parts he lost in the fight against Chrollo.]]

* ShipTease: With Illumi. [[spoiler: Chapter 377 in specific. ]]

* YellowEyesOfSneakiness: In the 2011 anime.
* YouWillNotEvadeMe: Hisoka can pull his opponent into his reach (or directly into his fist) whenever he pleases, once he has attached his Bungee Gum on him/her.

'''Main Characters''' ([[Characters/HunterXHunterGonFreecss Gon Freecss]] | [[Characters/HunterXHunterKilluaZoldyck Killua Zoldyck]]) | [[Characters/HunterXHunterHunterAssociation Hunter Association]] | [[Characters/HunterxHunterZoldyckFamily Zoldyck Family]] | [[Characters/HunterXHunterPhantomTroupe Phantom Troupe]] | [[Characters/HunterXHunterChimeraAnts Chimera Ants]] | [[Characters/HunterXHunterKakinRoyalFamily Kakin Royal Family]] | [[Characters/HunterXHunterOtherCharacters Other Characters]]]]-]]]

* InexplicablyAwesome: Hisoka is one of the most powerful and crafty Nen fighters who been shown to curbstomp every enemy he fights with only a simple ability, even [[InterplayOfSexAndViolence thrilled if he deems his opponent to be strong]]. Yet nothing is shown from his part or how he got his abilities, aside from a one-shot with dubious canonity, and the only thing revealed about is that he named his abilities after his favorite snacks.

* IShallTauntYou: every time he fights. Unsettling his foes is only one of his tactics.
* ItAmusedMe: The only reason Hisoka does anything.

* IShallTauntYou: Everytime he fights. Unsettling his foes is only one of his tactics.

* FourTemperamentEnsemble: The Eclectic. He's kind and friendly but also short- tempered, is people-oriented but also has his goals, and is morally upstanding and level-headed but with a childish side.

* IncorruptiblePurePureness: May appear greedy and self-centered? Well, it's an act. In a certain sense, Gon is more "innocent", as he's still a kid, but still Leorio doesn't have any quality that could make him morally ambiguous and does what's right, while Gon is actually capable of quite cruel acts. Yes, Leorio is [[TokenGoodTeammate the only one in the team with no antiheroic qualities]].

%% * LargeHam: Whenever his HairTriggerTemper is set off.

* TheMcCoy: To Gon’s Kirk and Kurapika’s Spock. He's easily the most impulsive and brash of the trio, which sometimes causes trouble for those around him.

* OnlySaneMan: In stark contrast to Gon's recklessness and self-destructive tendencies, Killua's cold willingness towards murder, and Kurapika's vendetta with the Phantom Troupe, Leorio simply wishes to become a doctor without having to throw himself headfirst into danger.

* TokenGoodTeammate: {{Downplayed}}; his teammates certainly aren't bad people by any means, but unlike the likes of [[BlueAndOrangeMorality Gon]], [[ChildrenForcedToKill Killua]], and [[HeWhoFightsMonsters Kurapika]], Leorio presents zero anti-heroic qualities, though ironically he is intially presented as the most amoral member of the team, claiming that all he cares about is getting rich. But that largely turns out to be an act.

* KnifeNut: The first of the series.
* LargeHam: Whenever his HairTriggerTemper is set off.

* UnderestimatingBadassery: Hisoka is ''very'' confident in his strength, and while for the most part he has every reason to be, it should be noted that most of his landslide victories were against [[NormalFishInATinyPond marginally weaker opponents]]. Despite this, he has no upper limit in terms of who he wants to take on in a fight: early on he expressed a desire to fight '''[[OldMaster Netero]]''' and mused about how defenseless he seemed[[note]] We later learn that Netero is [[LightningBruiser utterly mind-bogglingly fast]] and so has no reason to stay on edge for surprise attacks[[/note]], and it is suggested that he would've tried to fight [[PersonOfMassDestruction the Chimera Ant Royal Guard]] or '''[[StoryBreakerPower Meruem]]''' had he known about the Ants. This came to a head when he finally got his desired fight against [[spoiler: Chrollo. Despite knowing [[PowerParasite the nature of his Nen ability]] and having ample time to prepare, Hisoka was confident that he could kill him with Bungee Gum alone. He was tossed around by Chrollo and died in a violent explosion [[JokerImmunity (however briefly]]).]]

[[folder:Gon Freecss]]
!!Gon Freecss
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Creator/MegumiHan (2011 Series), Creator/JunkoTakeuchi (1999 Series), Creator/RicaMatsumoto (Pilot OVA) (Japanese), Creator/EricaMendez (2011 Series), Elinor Holt (1999 Series) (English)

[[quoteright:165:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/hxh_gon.png]]

->''"I can't '''stand''' being on the losing end forever!!"''

Gon Freecss is the main protagonist of ''Hunter × Hunter'', a twelve year old boy left in the care of his aunt and raised to believe his parents died in an accident when he was just a baby. He later learns that is not the case when he is rescued by a stranger named Kite. Kite turns out to be a Hunter and student of Ging Freecss, a world-renowned Hunter and Gon's apparently dead father. This meeting stirred something inside of him and, ever since, meeting Ging has been a lifetime goal. He seeks to meet his absent father, Ging, and follow in his footsteps, driven to take the Hunter's Exam and obtain a Hunter's license. And so, his quest begins.\\\

Gon's Hatsu is called Jajanken (ジャジャン拳(ジャジャンけん), a play on the Japanese word for Rock-paper-scissors, "Janken," the word "Jajan" (a Japanese interjection akin to the word "Ta-dah"), and "Jaken" (邪拳 Evil Fist). His nen ability essentially weaponizes RockPaperScissors, giving a different attack for whether he chooses [[MegatonPunch rock]], [[EnergyBall paper]] or [[LaserBlade scissors.]]
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[[Characters/HunterXHunterGonFreecss Click here to see tropes about him]]
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Killua Zoldyck]]
!!Killua Zoldyck
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Creator/MariyaIse (2011 Series), Creator/KanakoMitsuhashi (1999 Series) (Japanese), Creator/CristinaValenzuela (2011 Series), Annika Odegard (1999 Series) (English)

[[quoteright:140:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/hxh_killua.png]]

->''"I'm so tired of '''killing'''... I just want to be a kid. Hanging out, doing stuff with Gon. That's it."''

The heir to the Zoldyck family, Killua decided he didn't want to be an assassin anymore, so he ran away. However he wasn't sure of what he really did want to do, so he took the Hunter Exam as a way to entertain himself. That's where he met Gon. At first he's distant and unattached, but it's hard to stick around Gon without warming up to him. He's generally fun-loving and a tease, although he doesn't seem to know when to stop, whether it's gambling or making fun of someone. He tends to be much more logical than Gon, making them a good pair. But you don't want to piss him off.\\\

Killua's nen ability involves generating electricity, though he has to charge himself regularly (apparently by zapping himself with a taser) to keep it going. He later evolves this into applying the electricity to his body, allowing him to move at insane speeds.
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[[Characters/HunterXHunterKilluaZoldyck Click here to see Tropes on him]]
[[/folder]]

* ArrogantKungFuGuy: With just cause. He generally ''is'' way more dangerous than most. And, if his skills are just too different to directly compare their damage output with somebody else's, his creative use of them often more than compensates. Heck, finding (and bugging) "interesting people" is rooted in trying to find fun tests of his own a8 bilities!

* JerkassFacade: The greedy and abrasive attitude hides the kindest heart of the group.

* NotSoDifferent: Both Hisoka and Gon categorize others according to [[BlueAndOrangeMorality a unique set of principles that others don't understand]]. Gon likes people that he (and sometimes ''only'' he) considers to be kind. Hisoka likes people that he considers to be interesting, or have to potential to be interesting. Notably, Killua, Kurapika, and Leorio meet both standards, and are well-regarded by both.

* NotSoDifferent:
** To '''Chrollo'''. Both are Specialists, fight using Conjuration, are [[MusclesAreMeaningless extremely dangerous]], intelligent, eerily calm in most situations, and both go on a RoaringRampageOfRevenge when their family is killed. [[spoiler: Heck, Kurapika actually possesses a PowerParasite ability, which allows him to temporarily steal the abilities of someone and use it one-time-only.]]
** Addressed more directly in The Last Battle, which features deliberate parallels between him and the Descendants of Shadow. The key difference between them lies in the Descendant's willingness to involve innocents and [[spoiler: sell their souls]] -- extreme lengths that Kurapika refuses to take.

* TheBigGuy: He is the least-developed Nen user for most of the series, not even having access to his Hatsu for quite some time, so when he does fight or exert himself he'a [[BadassNormal relying on his natural strength alone]]. He's older and much taller than Gon, Killua, and Kurapika, and usually the most hot-headed and confrontational of the group, showing more courage and heart in the face of superhuman adversity than one would expect from a man without Nen powers. Nen aside, he's the most physically strong member of the main cast, forcing open the door of the second test alone and trouncing a mafioso in arm-wrestling, though most of his feats of strength are altered or omitted in the adaptations.

* YoungerThanTheyLook: Shocks everyone early in the series when he tells them he's also a teenager like them... more than once even. He's only 19 at the start, making him just 2 years older than Kurapika.

* ThroatSlit: When he isn't killing his opponents through decapitation, he's using his DeathDealer playing cards to pull these off.

* ArrogantKungFuGuy: With just cause. He generally ''is'' way more dangerous than most. And, if his skills are just too different to directly compare their damage output with somebody else's, his creative use of them often more than compensates. Heck, finding (and bugging) "interesting people" is rooted in trying to find fun tests of his own abilities!
* AwesomeByAnalysis: Hisoka is able to rate properly the potential or strength of someone. He also created a method to discover someone's Nen category based on his personality. It doesn't work all the time but many Nen users match.

** [[spoiler: Was also able to rate some Zodiacs and Illumi's strength.]]

* IncorruptiblePurePureness: May appear greedy and self-centered? Well, it's an act. In a certain sense, Gon is more "innocent", as he's still a kid, but still Leorio doesn't have any quality that could make him morally ambiguous and does what's right, while Gon is actually capable of quite cruel acts. Yes, Leorio is [[TokenGoodTeammate the only one in the team with no antiheroic qualities]], though ironically he is intially presented as the most amoral member of the team, claiming that all he cares about is getting rich. But see the tropes below for how that turns out.
* JerkassFacade: The greedy and abrasive attitude hides the kindest heart of the group.

* TokenGoodTeammate: {{Downplayed}}; his teammates certainly aren't bad people by any means, but unlike the likes of [[BlueAndOrangeMorality Gon]], [[ChildrenForcedToKill Killua]], and [[HeWhoFightsMonsters Kurapika]], Leorio presents zero anti-heroic qualities.

* IncorruptiblePurePureness: May appear greedy and self-centered? Well, it's an act. In a certain sense, Gon is more "innocent", as he's still a kid, but still Leorio doesn't have any quality that could make him morally ambiguous and does what's right, while Gon is actually capable of quite cruel acts. Yes, Leorio is [[TokenGoodTeammate the only one in the team with no antiheroic qualities]].

'''Main Characters''' ([[Characters/HunterXHunterGonFreecss Gon Freecss]]) | [[Characters/HunterXHunterHunterAssociation Hunter Association]] | [[Characters/HunterxHunterZoldyckFamily Zoldyck Family]] | [[Characters/HunterXHunterPhantomTroupe Phantom Troupe]] | [[Characters/HunterXHunterChimeraAnts Chimera Ants]] | [[Characters/HunterXHunterKakinRoyalFamily Kakin Royal Family]] | [[Characters/HunterXHunterOtherCharacters Other Characters]]]]-]]]

* AbsurdlySharpClaws: More like sharp nails, but they can cut a lot of things anyway.
* TheAce: Has a number amount of skills to help him out such as knowing master assassin techniques, being extremely intelligent, good stealth skills, being resistant to poison and electricity, having ShockAndAwe powers, moving [[SuperSpeed extremely fast]] (especially with Godspeed), mastering the game of darts at the age of six or seven, and being a good skateboard player.
* AcquiredPoisonImmunity: Killua is immune to virtually all forms of poison due to his family's TrainingFromHell, and is seen happily downing five cans of laxative-laced juice before the Hunter Exam starts. He's also somewhat immune to electricity. It still hurts, but it doesn't incapacitate him like it should. Eventually, he even turns electricity into his own weapon, because he's been shocked with electricity so many times during his training that he can visualize it as part of his Nen.
* AdaptationDyeJob: Of the eye variety, as Killua's eyes are a near black shade of blue color in the 1999 anime, green in the Greed Island Ovas, and cerulean in the 2011 {{Remake}}, while in the manga, his eyes are blue.
* AffectionateGestureToTheHead: He likes petting Alluka, like an affectionate elder brother.
* AffectionateNickname: He is called "Kil" by his family, pronounced similarly to [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast "kill"]].
* AintTooProudToBeg: Begs [[spoiler: Chimera Ant Palm]] to renounce seeing Gon for a while after her transformation. [[BreakTheCutie For good reasons.]]
* AllAccordingToPlan: His fight against Sub. He creates faked openings that he uses to his advantage and makes short work of him.
* AnimalBattleAura: Rammot views it as a snake.
* AnimalMotifs:
** Often compared to a cat (even appears as one in SuperDeformed context).
** He also seems to have snakes as a motif as well; considering his AnimalBattleAura as seen by Rammot is a snake. In addition, his eyes slant during his SlasherSmile moments and one of his assassin moves is called "Snakes Awaken."
* AnimeHair: When he fully activates his electrical aura, the static makes his hair spike up into jagged points that look [[AstonishinglyAppropriateAppearance like thunderbolts.]]
* AntiHero: [[ShootTheDog Shooting Dogs]]? Well, hey: it's easy enough if you've been killing since before you could reach the middle shelves of the kitchen. Downplayed as the series goes on and he arguably becomes ''less'' of an AntiHero than the rest of the main cast (barring [[TheHeart Leorio]]). He starts off as a NominalHero during the Hunter Exam arc, wherein he has no real purpose in life and is willing to murder people for minor annoyances, only being a good guy due to being on the side of Gon and the others, but progresses to a UnscrupulousHero by the Heaven's Arena arc due to his encounter with his family and developing a greater sense of morality, and eventually becomes a PragmaticHero.
* AnnoyingYoungerSibling: He is this to Milluki, who tries to punish him and gets irritated for asking him about Greed Island.
* ArrogantKungFuGuy: Mostly in the earlier parts of the series. Later on he's still proud of his skills and occasionally drops a BadassBoast or two but [[BreakTheHaughty he knows his limits]] and knows when to take things seriously rather than get carried away with pride.
* AxCrazy: When in assassin mode, he's capable of ripping someones heart out with a smile.
* BadassAdorable: Can pull of a cat-smile with ease, and typically does so when showing off in a fight.
* BadassBoast: When East Gorteau bust out their military, Killua responds with this.
-->'''Killua:''' Hmm... No problem. You can bring out tanks and fighter jets. I will stop them all.
* BadassInDistress: During the Zoldyck Family arc, he is (kinda-sorta) held prisoner by his family and the Yorknew City arc.
* BeatStillMyHeart: During the Trick Tower phase of the Hunter Exam, Killua does this to Johness the Dissector, a notorious mass-murderer sentenced to 968 years in prison. [[AndShowItToYou Then he crushes it.]]
* BecauseYouWereNiceToMe: Killua's friendship began with Gon because the latter treated his family's assassin profession in an accepting manner, whereas others would express shock and fear.
* BestFriend: To Gon, although Gon is far more open about it whereas Killua gets embarrassed when Gon brings it up.
* BewareTheNiceOnes:
** He's genuinely cheerful and friendly most of the time. He's also fully willing to tear your head off with his bare hands if you so much as think of doing something to Gon. Or Alluka.
** Sadaso learns the hard way of what happens when you break a promise with Killua. Killua forgave Sadaso when he kidnapped Zushi to make Killua lose in the Heavens Arena, but made him promise not to pull the same trick with Gon who was forbidden to fight until he got Wing's permission. When Killua learns that Sadaso ignored his warning, Killua ambushes Sadaso with a knife at his throat. Killua then made Sadaso promise to never show his face again, and Sadaso complies, warning his partners to heed Killua's threat.
* BigBrotherInstinct: Toward Alluka. Killua is fiercely protective of her and will go against the other Zoldyck members if they ever threaten Alluka.
* BigDamnHeroes: He saves Knuckle just when he would have been killed by Youpi.
%%* BishieSparkle: Killua has this for a moment.
* BloodKnight: Enjoys good fights.
* BlueAndOrangeMorality: Follows his family in having some decidedly different points of view about life, relationships, the universe... and when killing and torturing is appropriate. He makes a few breaks from his family's traditions during the series, too, and is shifting his points of reference by attempting a more conventionally normal sense of morality. His family doesn't really like this. Trying to place him on a spectrum is, in reality, pretty futile due to how often he explores new prespectives. Except for this: don't try messing his friendship with Gon up [[spoiler: and don't even think about doing the same when it comes to Alluka]].
* BrainwashingForTheGreaterGood: [[spoiler: Killua was brainwashed by Illumi for two reasons: first, he was made to avoid engaging in fights he's not sure he can win for his own safety; second, he was made to entirely forget [[EldritchAbomination Alluka]]. Though Illumi was successful in both respects, Killua in turn felt that there was an enormous void in his life regarding friendship and brotherhood that he filled once again when he met Gon]].
** BrainwashResidue: [[spoiler: Killua was upset at himself for neglecting Alluka for so long even after removing Illumi's needle, claiming that it was still affecting him to an extent.]]
* BreakoutCharacter: Him scoring first place on all three popularity polls has him receive as much focus as Gon within the series (if not sometimes more than Gon in certain arcs especially with the Election Arc)
* BreakTheHaughty: Three times:
** When he learns Gittarackur's true identity, he panics because [[spoiler: said identity is his creepy older brother, Illumi.]]
** When Zushi uses Ren, because it is a power he doesn't have at the time.
** When [[TheDreaded Pitou]] appeared! The Chimera Knight forced him to run.
%%* BrokenTears: A few times during the Chimera Ant arcs and also in the election arc.
* {{Catchphrase}}: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VozkEdeEBHY Baaa~ka!]]
* CatSmile: Sometimes. The bigger it is, the more worry should be induced because it's a good indication of his mischief level.
* CharacterDevelopment: Oh boy... Goes from '''''ripping out someone's heart''''' in a [[{{CurbStompBattle}} quick match]] during the Hunter Exam, to breaking down and crying during a fight with [[spoiler: Chimera Ant Palm]] during the Chimera Ant arc. This serves as a {{foil}} to Gon's CharacterDevelopment: while Killua becomes more selfless, levelheaded and morally upright, Gon becomes more ambiguous due to his recklessness and self-serving nature.
* ChildProdigy: A gifted assassin despite being a child, to the point he was named as his family's heir. He also shown to have great potential with Nen.
* ChildrenForcedToKill: His family are assassins, so "learn to kill" is right up there with "learn to walk".
%%%* CityMouse: In contrast to Gon's CountryMouse.
* ClarkKentOutfit: Killua has eight-pack abs and rippling biceps under his clothes in the later arcs.
* CoolBoard: He had a skateboard earlier in the series.
* ConsummateLiar: Generally, the cuter and more sincere he appears, the more you need to worry about his honesty.
* CowardlyLion: He becomes this when facing an opponent whose level he is unsure of compared to his own (with a tendency to underestimate himself). It's at first explained as the result of his brother Illumi's training, but it's later revealed to be [[RestrainingBolt hardwired into him by a nen-powered needle Illumi had put in his head]]. Removing it allowed Killua to [[TookALevelInBadass instantly overcome his fears and defeat his opponent.]]
* CreepyChild: Not surprising for someone who trained to kill since he was three.
* CryCute: Frequently bursts into tears in the later parts of the series; at the end of the day, no matter how twisted his upbringing was, Killua is still a child, and a surprisingly sensitive and emotional one at that.
--->'''Narrator''': [[TryingNotToCry The dam within Killua burst.]]
* CuttingTheKnot: When Killua took the 288th Hunter Exam the first phase was to knock out five applicants and steal their badges. Instead Killua knocked out ''everyone'' and stole all of their badges. This amused Netero so much that he passed Killua on the spot.
* DarkAndTroubledPast: Recieved TrainingFromHell by his assassin family, which included Killua killing someone when he was a ''younger'' child.
* DeathGlare: Principally shows that when he is in killer mode.
* DeclarationOfProtection: He is serious about protecting those important to him, such as his best friend and his [[spoiler: younger sister.]]
** He said he'll protect Gon.
--->"I'll do whatever it takes to protect Gon!"
** [[spoiler: After the Chairman Election arc, he essentially declares himself to be his little sister's keeper by pledging to protect Alluka]].
--->"[[spoiler: I will spend the rest of my life protecting her.]]"
* DefusingTheTykeBomb: The main theme of his character development is moving out of the "cold-blooded assassin" vibe of his family. [[spoiler: Also does this with Gon when confronting Pitou when Komugi is being healed.]]
* DesperatelyLookingForAPurposeInLife: He doesn't want to be assassin but isn't sure what he ''does'' want to be.
* {{Deuteragonist}}: Eventually becomes the most frequently seen member of the main cast other than [[TheHero Gon]].
%%%* DodgeTheBullet: [[AbnormalAmmo Flea bullet]] to be more precise.
* DoppelgangerSpin:
** Rhythm Echo. An assassination art, it is a motion that creates an afterimage of the body through a varying cadence of steps. There is a total absence of noise during the movement and multiple phantoms appear. It utilizes the Shadow Step technique.
** Subverted in the first anime where Rhythm Echo is changed into an ability that allows Killua to disappear into darkness.
* DudeWheresMyRespect: [[spoiler: During the invasion he did his best to help Gon but Gon basically ignored his presence. At the end of the Election arc, Gon finally apologizes to him and [[CatSmile he was quite happy.]]]]
* EarlyInstallmentCharacterDesignDifference: Killua's design made him look somewhat older in his initial manga appearance. Togashi modified it by the time of the following chapter to make his young age a bit more apparent. The anime adaptations use his finalized design at all times.
* ElectricTorture: Part of his TrainingFromHell. Thanks to it he has a resistance to electricity that allows him to generate it through his nen ability.
* EnfantTerrible: It's a family thing for little kids, infants even, to be killers.
* FaceYourFears: What he had to do to stop being a CowardlyLion but it turns out it was because of Illumi's needle. He found it while facing his fear.
%%%%* FakingTheDead: Against the Ortho siblings.
* {{Fingore}}: When Killua and Gon play dodgeball against Razor on Greed Island, Gon uses his Jajanken, with Killua holding the ball, to attack Razor. Killua however doesn't protect his hands with his aura, as his aura mastery isn't good enough yet, and he does not wish to weaken Gon's attack with his own aura. The result were very badly bruised hands that made it impossible for Killua to hold anything for the next few weeks.
* FirstFriend: Downplayed to Gon. While the latter had friendly relationships with his hometown peers, he didn't really have a friend close to his age like Killua.
* FreeRangeChildren: Justified since he is a Hunter, and an assassin, so he can definitely take care of himself. However, his father sends four butlers to accompany him during the Election arc, and they have a system of security levels where the child could be forcibly brought back to the mansion.
* FreudianExcuse: Biscuit theorized that his cowardice was the result of the training he received by Illumi, who taught him to run at all costs if the battle goes downhill. She was sorta right.
%%%* FriendshipMoment: Mostly with Gon.
* FourTemperamentEnsemble: Phlegmatic type II, as he's calm most of the time but has a Choleric side due to his upbringing.
* TheGamblingAddict: His main flaw, mostly PlayedForLaughs (considering it's [[{{Determinator}} Gon]] who has to stop him from going too far).
** In Chapter 71, Killua challenges Gon, betting who could make more money before they arrived in Yorknew. Killua more than makes ''50 times'' the money he started with, but then bets all of his money again on a final bet that he loses. Gon, meanwhile, earned next to nothing, but wins anyway, since Killua was left with no money.
** Killua uses the Risky Dice on Greed Island, realizing that they are the key to win in the casino to gain cards. The Risky Dice increase one's luck dramatically, but if the user rolls "bad luck" they will die. Killua however keeps playing, until he is stopped by Biscuit, who swiftly knocks Killua out before he gets hurt.
* TheGift: As gifted as Gon in Nen use, considered a one-in-ten-million case. He is also called the most gifted Zoldyck to have ever existed.
* GladHesOnOurSide: Kurapika's reaction when he learns he is an assassin to relief that he has not been contracted for himself or their group.
%%* GoodIsNotNice:
* HardWorkHardlyWorks: Subverted. While he does have natural talent and [[TrainingFromHell training]], he works very hard to refine his abilities.
* HeterosexualLifePartners: Gon is his closest and dearest friend, though on Killua's side it crosses the border into HomoeroticSubtext at times.
* HitmanWithAHeart: Though he doesn't really get a heart until he quits being a hitman, he is still an assassin who is a loyal friend.
* HomoeroticSubtext: From following Gon to watch him on a date to calling him his "light" to making jokes about "lovers' suicide," it's getting increasingly unclear whether Killua's feelings for Gon are just those of friendship.
* {{Hypocrite}}: Whether he quite realizes it or not, when Killua gets protective of somebody he often interferes with their lives to make sure they can be safe. Sure, he doesn't try micromanaging their behavior using mindcontrol needles, but he can get downright manipulative and in their business without express permission -- often by shutting down some of the available choices/mistakes he cannot bear to let them make. This is actually [[NotSoDifferent very similar]] to how he is treated by his family, specifically by Illumi.
* IJustWantToBeFree: He wants to choose his own life and not be an assassin.
* IJustWantToHaveFriends: Killua was not allowed to have friends. In the Hunter exam he says to Illumi that he wants to be friend with Gon and have a normal life.
* IllKillYou: After Sadaso and company attacked Zushi, Killua snuck up on Sadaso in his dressing room and made it abundantly clear that if he did anything but get out of his sight for good, he'd die right then and there. Sadasao knew he wasn't screwing around when he said that because he could feel genuine killing intent oozing out of Killua, so he complied and dropped off the face of the Earth.
* ImageSong: "Tell Me".
* InstantExpert: Mastered advanced assassination techniques at young age. His mastery of Nen counts too, during the GI arc, it was noted how excellent his aura control is. It took Biscuit 25 years to reach that level.
%%%* InTheHood: While spying the Phantom Troupe.
%%%%* JustAKid:
* KillerYoYo: The specially-designed yo-yos he uses are strong enough even before he gets to grips with using his Nen on them. After? Think "decapitation" and "electrocution".
* TheLancer: Acts as the second-man to Gon at all times, and is darker in personality to contrast him.
* LikeASonToMe: Killua is this to his family's butlers, Gotoh and Tsubone.
* LikeFatherLikeSon: At least that's what [[ThePatriarch Silva]] thinks. He's quite different from his father in a lot of ways, most notably his ability to empathize with people easily.
* LimitedWardrobe: Averted. He is the character who changes outfits the most in both series.
* LonelyRichKid: Before meeting Gon and the others, he was the heir to the rich Zoldyck family but he didn't know anyone outside his family and their staff.
* LonerTurnedFriend: Played with. He didn't want to be a loner in the first place.
* LongingLook: [[HoYay Killua sure does like looking at Gon with these.]]
* MenDontCry: {{Averted}}. By the later parts of the series and after a healthy dosage of CharacterDevelopment, Killua is quite prone to getting emotional and has multiple heartrending teary-eyed breakdowns. Never in front of Gon, though!
* MiddleChildSyndrome: Inverted. Killua is the middle child of five, and one would think he wasn't paid much attention to growing up. Instead, it's the exact opposite: Killua is the generational prodigy between his siblings and is favored by his mother, father, and grandfather, was chosen to be the successor of the business, and was "spoiled rotten" by his grandfather.
* MoodSwinger: Can go into assassin mode instantly, referred to as "flipping his switch".
* MoralityChain:
** Killua in general is described this way, but more in the sense of keeping a level-head in serious situations. Yes, the ''born-and-raised assassin'' is the one telling his really nice friend to tone down the ruthlessness. As Gon himself notes in the Yorknew arc:
--->'''Gon:''' It's my job to make stupid choices, and it's your job to stay calm and stop me.
** [[spoiler:Killua had to serve as this for [[DarkerAndEdgier Gon]] during their confrontation with Pitou, where Killua has to stop Gon from killing the Ant when his rage overwhelms him.]]
--->'''Killua:''' [[spoiler:"Gon, if you kill Pitou, we'll never get Kite back."]]
* MurderIsTheBestSolution: Gradually tries to defy this though really it [[SugarAndIcePersonality depends on his mood]]. Lampshaded in the Heavens Arena Arc: “Not killing is hard. This clean living is tough.”
* MusclesAreMeaningless: At first played straight, but later subverted. Despite all of the physical training Killua went through growing up, he didn't have visibly any muscle mass, his arms being as built as Gon's, but as shown in the Ant Arc, the boy's biceps became pronounced and developed eight pack abs; having the muscular build of a man in his prime at ''13''. [[http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Scd4rLn6vTg/URdzKOLh5PI/AAAAAAACnBQ/AfVMhZtiWO0/s1600/%5BHorribleSubs%5D_Hunter_X_Hunter_-_66_%5B720p%5D.mkv_snapshot_00.31_%5B2013.02.10_16.37.33%5D.jpg Just]] [[http://img1.ak.crunchyroll.com/i/spire3/dfd27c4e36f1341bbeff91ec8941fe101386099310_full.png look]].
* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: [[spoiler: When he asked Nanika to disappear, he was quickly horrified at his own words.]]
* MyBelovedSmother: His mother definitely wishes to keep him in the Zoldylk household at all cost as seen with how she makes Illumi participate in the Hunter Exams. [[spoiler: Later duirng the Election Arc when he's getting Nanika, he specifically asks her to kill his mother if they don't get out of the household within an hour.]]
* MysticalWhiteHair: Like his father and grandfather, Killua's hair is pure white. He's also a Transmuter-type Nen user, allowing him to manipulate electricity for various purposes, making him a sort of assassin-wizard hybrid in comparison to Gon's straightforward LightningBruiser. None of his siblings have this white hair.
%%%* NiceHat: During the Heavens Arena arc.
* NoiselessWalker: When teamed with Killua, Melody (who is very sensitive to sound) asks if he is an assasin by trade, explaining that his footsteps are the quietest she's ever heard, barely audible at virtually no distance. The screen shows them jogging along a street flooding in the rain and Killua's steps don't make any splashes. He says it's become a habit.
* NominalHero: At the start of the Hunter Exam arc, he had just fled from a family of ruthless assassins, and despite rejecting that lifestyle, he had their teaching ingrained upon him, sometimes murdering people for annoying him and only being kept in check by Gon and the others. As a result of his experiences, he eventually becomes a PragmaticHero.
* NoSell: Thanks to his torture training, he's immune to poison and can withstand the pain of electric shocks.
* NotAfraidOfYouAnymore: He adopts this position towards Illumi after removing the needle, though he admits that he's still terrified of what Illumi could do to Alluka.
* OlderThanTheyLook: It's explained in-series that extensive use of Nen can slow your aging. Killua's appearance in later arcs has barely shown any change at all from how he appeared at the start of the series, even though a full two years have passed since Killua took the Hunter Exam with Gon.
* OneManArmy: "Tanks, fighter jets... I'll stop you all". He did.
* OutOfCharacterMoment: During his fight against Shoot, he recklessly charges forward and even screams to hit him. It's not very assassin-like.
* OverTheShoulderCarry: Carries Gon like this after he knocks him out and flees to let Kite fight Neferpitou.
* OverlordJr: Averted. While he has the talent for it and is heavily favored to inherit the family business by his father, mother, and grandfather, Killua chose to stop being an assassin and try doing something else with his life, leading to his choice to take the Hunter Exam.
* ParentalFavoritism: Favored by his father, mother, and grandfather, and chosen as the family heir.
* PassedOverInheritance: Killua is the heir apparent to his family's legacy even though he is third in line after Illumi and Milluki. Not only is he his parents' favorite son, and even being unwilling to take the mantle notwithstanding, his brothers do little to impede his claim (though Illumi does want to control him, although this is due to his belief that, as {{The Dutiful Son}}, it's his job to make sure Killua fulfills his obligations as well).
* PhysicalGod: Invoked with Kanmuru. It means "God[==]speed" and it was even explained with Raijin images. Even if he becomes way stronger, it's mainly because of his speed and reflexes. His physical strength and aura are not strengthened. If he uses it for too long he will run out of electricity. Interestingly, he uses it a lot to carry Alluka, who often dresses like a shrine maiden.
* PintSizedPowerhouse: Not as small as Gon, but he's one of the deadliest characters in the series. He has been an assassin ever since he was born, and can extract the heart soundlessly out of an opponent, with just his hands, at twelve-years-old.
* PoisonousFriend: Will quite cheerfully go behind the backs of those he cares about to smooth bumpy roads using some ''very'' morally questionable tactics. However, his judgment calls aren't often wrong. Having said that, he still holds back a fair amount: there'd be a lot more dead bodies if he kept to his family's traditions about such things.
* PragmaticHero: He is willing to make sacrifices if necessary to achieve an objective.
* PrincessCarry: [[spoiler: He carries Alluka in his arms in order to better flee with SuperSpeed. In this case, it is pure brotherly love rather than shiptease.]] Compare this to the over-the-shoulder-carry he does for his guy-friends.
* ProfessionalKiller: He was trained to be a professional assassin, like the rest of his family, but left that line of work.
* ProperlyParanoid: Before the palace invasion. He was worried that someone would hinder their plan, the others were telling him he was thinking too much, but he was right, [[SpannerInTheWorks Komugi hindered their plan]].
%%%%* PsychoElectro: Particularly noticeable during his fight against Bopobo.
* PsychoForHire: Subverted. He got tired of killing people so he quit being an assassin.
* PutOnABus: [[spoiler: Killua leaves Gon to travel with Alluka to see the world at the start of the Dark Continent Arc. He tells Gon if he ever needs him, just call him; but apart from him taking a short hiatus to retake the Hunter's Exam during the Greed Island Arc, this is the first time the two will be travelling without each other in the ''entire series''.]]
* RedOniBlueOni: The calm, calculating Blue Oni to Gon's impulsive, reckless Red Oni, and Gon refuses it to be reversed.
-->"I'm allowed to talk about dying, but you're not!"
* TheRunaway: His parents didn't agree with his whole "see the world" plan.
* RestrainingBolt: [[spoiler: Illumi used a needle to compel him to flee from enemies he didn't think he could defeat, in order to force him to flee from a fight that could get him killed.]]
* RightUnderTheirNoses: In "The Last Mission" he and Gon manage to hide from Jed's soldiers as they march by their area by hiding in a "your face here" cutout.
%%%* ShirtlessScene:
* SayMyName: "GOOOOON!!!", as his best friend was [[spoiler: moments away from potentially dying while finishing off Neferepitou.]]
* ScrewThisImOuttaHere: Killua is not above running away when faced with an opponent which might be a threat; this extends to both ''actual'' threats like [[TheDreaded Neferpitou]] as well as lesser Chimera Ants which he should by all means be able to take on but his instincts tell him to run just to be on the safe side. Bisky calls him out on this, alleging that one day this will cause him to abandon Gon. [[spoiler: This is eventually revealed to be [[MindControlDevice programmed into him via Illumi injecting a needle into his brain]], which he eventually gets rid of. Even then though he still at least [[KnowWhenToFoldEm Knows When To Fold 'Em]], in contrast to Gon largely being a FearlessFool.]]
* ShockAndAwe: Thanks to his acquired electricity immunity, he is able to transform his aura into electricity, and uses it not only as a weapon on others, but also on himself as a reflex enhancer.
* SlasherSmile: Did this quite often when he killed earlier in the series and basically every time he kills or beats someone in his "assassin" mode.
* SmugSuper: He coasts through the Hunter Exam, with Gon and Netero being the only people to really catch his attention. Then, he goes up against Gittarackur in the final round. It starts to bubble back up during Heaven's Arena, but it's squashed when he faces Zushi's nen.
* SociopathicHero: He is a Zoldyck after all. He has no problem with killing and smiles practically every time he kills someone. Gradually loses this straight as the series goes on and he mellows out.
* SoreLoser: He really doesn't take losses too well as shown when he couldn't get around Netero in the game to grab a ball off him. He develops a bit of a grudge against him for it.
* SpoiledBrat: Zeno self-admitted that he spoiled him and it's the reason why he doesn't respect Milluki. It doesn't help that Milluki is an asshole, and tries to torture him whenever he returns; 'tries' because it doesn't work. Although Zeno's idea of 'spoiled' isn't exactly normal, as what he considers a proper upbringing seems to consist of being whipped, chained up, burnt with cigarettes, poisoned, electrocuted, forced to kill, and otherwise abused to the point of being almost completely unaffected by pain, starting from a very young age. Do note that said training has left Killua virtually invincible to conventional modes of offense like poison and weapons.
* SproutingEars: When he looks catlike, his ears get a cosmetic change to enhance his cat-smile.
* StalkerWithoutACrush: Was spying on Gon and Palm to protect him when he couldn't use his Nen.
* StockShonenRival: {{Subverted|Trope}}. Killua fits almost all of the criteria. He's the foil to StockShonenHero Gon, starts off as a darker character than Gon, is a BloodKnight, etc. Despite this, Killua is not Gon's rival. He is just his friend.
%%%% How so?
%%%%* TheStrategist: Biscuit gave him this role in the last part of Greed Island.
* SugarAndIcePersonality: A rare example where he appears open and emotive (sugar) most of the time but becomes cold, dark, and distant (ice) when dealing with serious situations, using his assassination techniques, and facing certain people who have angered or hurt him.
* SuperReflexes: Even without resorting to Nen, Killua has superb reflexes. Killua can react to the slightest amount of danger at once, allegedly even gunshots fired at near point-blank range.
* SuperSpeed: Killua is tremendously fast, which is enhanced when he is charged up with his Nen. He can move fast enough that his opponents may lose sight of him, and kill a target without them realizing until the fatal blow has been dealt. In his "Godspeed" form, when he use his Nen, he can change the properties of his aura to generate a surge of electricity into his own body, increasing his speed to levels that transcend the limits of his body. It can be used to travel long distances at high speed, or in combat when there is a significant difference in speed and/or power between Killua and his opponent.
* SweetTooth: He tends to be munching on something. Also, he used his winnings from his first time in the Celestial Tower supposedly on a lot of cakes. We repeat, he spends 200 ''million'' on sweets.
* TaughtByExperience: This is the reason he was so paranoid before the Palace Invasion. According to him, situations like the one they face can go seriously wrong.
* TechnicianVersusPerformer: The technician to Gon's performer. While Killua relies on his assassination skills, Gon relies on his instincts. It's the reason why he is a bit jealous of Gon during the tournament of his first Hunter exam.
* TeensAreShort: Killua stands at 158cm or 5'2"; as a 12-year-old, he was considered tall, as a 14-year-old, he's about average height, and [[OffModel Off Modeling]] makes him look even shorter.
* ThemeMusicPowerUp: Expect to hear the instrumental of "Tell Me" when Killua is about to kick someone's ass.
* TookALevelInKindness: He became kind enough to spare a Chimera Ant. [[spoiler:This ant [[BecauseYouWereNiceToMe becomes one of their allies later]].]]
* TrademarkFavoriteFood: Above all sweets, Chocolate Balls reign supreme.
* TrainingFromHell: Electric torture and regular poisonings were only two of his experiences as an assassin-in-training. It was administered by [[TheFamilyThatSlaysTogether his own family]], no less.
* TroublingUnchildlikeBehavior: Most children do not grin like a cat after plucking someone's heart from their chest.
* {{Troll}}: He tricked Hanzo into getting the wrong tag in the fourth phase of his first hunter exam, catches Riehlvelt from falling while Killua is in an electrified state, lied to Milluki about destroying his figurines, decided to be the only person to pass his second hunter exam, and made Sub think that he was in the lead during the fight between those two only to whip-out a second yo-yo.
* {{Tsundere}}: Killua is both types, expressing certain sides to certain people; the recipients of his ''deredere'' side are Gon and Alluka, there are others, such as Leorio, Kurapika, Canary, but the former two are two that receive it the most, while people that receive his ''tsuntsun'' side are Leorio to annoy him, Gon when he acts stupidly or embarrasses him, and basically anyone he doesn't like, bordering on SugarAndIcePersonality towards others.
* {{Tykebomb}}: Before he met Gon, all his life was dedicated to assassination.
* UnderestimatingBadassery: In the earlier parts of the series he was overconfident to the point of naiveté, best exemplified in the ball game he played with Netero during the Hunter Exam. It's only after learning Nen that he gradually realizes how strong people with actual Nen experience can be. This reaches a breaking point when he enconuters [[KnightOfCerebus Neferpitou]] and has a HeroicBSOD upon realizing how relatively powerless he is in the grand scheme of things.
---> ''"We were overconfident. The two of us combined were still weaker than Kite [[spoiler: who'd lost an arm]]. This is reality... we were fools!"''
* UndyingLoyalty: For Gon (BestFriend) and Alluka (precious little sister), he will help them no matter what. Even other members of his family are a lower priority.
* VillainousLineage: Subverted. While he was set-up to be the heir of his family of assassins, he ended becoming the WhiteSheep by running away from home, and by the end of the 2011 anime, he ended becoming a very loyal and selfless individual.
* VSign: After winning some fights at the Heavens Arena, he flashes a finger V to celebrate.
* WhiteHairBlackHeart: Surely it is no co-incidence that the line of assassins has white hair; him, his father, and his ''grandfather''. However, his heart turns grayer than theirs over time.
* WhiteSheep: Of the Zoldyck family. Unlike the rest of them he doesn't want to join the family business of assassination, to their dismay.
* WiseBeyondTheirYears: He is an extremely intelligent boy as he picked up on a lot of things before a lot of the other characters do.
* WrestlerInAllOfUs: In the 1999 anime during the Heaven's Arena Arc, Killua and Gon argue over Killua's binge spending on chocolate and taking Gon's money to buy more, Gon tells him not to waste his money; Killua's response is to angrily say chocolate isn't a waste of money and put Gon in a Surfboard Stretch. For those that don't know, Killua had Gon in [[https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQCuTkw3Ge3_-CHzqcCMRPwMgjWBXegVvy6rFPe1pgrvkaZGSx4 this]] hold; Gon quickly submitted.
* YouAreAlreadyDead: A moment of this happens in the Trick Tower, when Killua has to fight Johness the Dissector. While Johness talks about ripping Killua to pieces, Killua casually passes him by. When Johness realizes that something is wrong, he sees Killua with his ''beating heart'' in hands, smugly smiling and then crushing the heart. A shocked Johness then collapses and dies.
* YouGottaHaveBlueHair: He has silver hair, a trait he inherited from his father.
* YourSizeMayVary: Killua's profile states his height is 158cm, making him four centimeters taller than Gon (meaning he'd be at least an inch taller); in the 1999 anime, Killua is at least half a head taller than Gon, while in the 2011 anime, he's shrunk down to be roughly the same height as Gon. [[http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa421/Toto_y_Moi/Hunter%20x%20Hunter%2010/GonRealizes1.jpg Just]] [[http://images6.fanpop.com/image/photos/34900000/Killua-killua-zoldyck-2011-34976269-1280-720.jpg look]]. However, Killua is shown to be getting taller throughout the story, where it's noticeable in the Heaven's Arena Arc that his legs are shorter than Gon's and the two are roughly the same height, by the Greed Island Arc their shoulders are no longer leveled, and by the Chimera Ant Arc Killua's visibly taller. [[http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120506151058/hunterxhunter/images/1/14/Killua_and_gon_arrive_at_the_arena.jpg Here's]] [[http://i1.sndcdn.com/artworks-000051067975-xdhoe7-original.jpg?435a760 some evidence]].